EVENT: Samsung Widget Developer Camp

September 10th, 2009 by Eric

From September 11 to 13th in San Francisco, Samsung will be continuing their developer outreach by hosting a Developer Camp. Thanks to Ashok Thiyagarajan (@asokan_telecom) from Samsung to recommending me to be a judge for the event.

Samsung, in my opinion has been a little late to the game in having a dedicated Developer Program, and it will be good to talk with developers and see the applications that come from this event. Long reliant on Windows Mobile and Java, Samsung using widgets is trying to more lightweight and more importantly, directly embrace developers. There is no shortage these days of platforms to develop for when it comes to mobile; the harder question to answer is if handset OEMs and platforms are slicing the pie too many times.

Fame is nice and making money is important too. Let’s hope both can coexist for Samsung Developers.

Samsung Widget Developer Camp 2009
To kick-off the launch of the Samsung Mobile Widget SDK, Samsung will host its first Widget Developer Camp from September 11-13, 2009 at the Hyatt Regency, San Francisco. The camp will provide select developers2 with the opportunity to hear from the Samsung Mobile Innovator team about the program and develop unique widgets using the SDK for a chance to win cash prizes.

Samsung Mobile Innovator will begin accepting application submissions today, at www.samsungmobileusa.com/devcamp, through August 31, 2009. Selected applicants will be notified of acceptance into the camp on September 2, 2009. Samsung’s Widget Developer Camp weekend will kick-off with a cocktail event on September 11 and beginning September 12, developers will have access to a Wi-Fi-equipped, catered and staffed meeting space for 24 hours. During this time, attendees will burn the midnight oil to develop widgets in five categories:

Social Media
News/Reference
Health/Fitness
Travel/Entertainment
Humor/Fun

At the end of the Widget Developer Camp, a panel of VIP judges will select a winner in each category, who will each be awarded a $5,000 prize. The judges will award one Best in Show winner, who will receive $20,000 and the opportunity to attend CTIA IT & Entertainment 2009 in San Diego from October 7-10, 2009 and have their widget showcased in Samsung’s booth. To apply, for full rules and regulations and for additional information, please visit www.samsungmobileusa.com/devcamp.